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<tr><td class="play" align="center">The Merchant of Venice
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    | Act 2, Scene 1
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<H3>SCENE I. Belmont. A room in PORTIA'S house.</h3>

<p><blockquote>
<i>Flourish of cornets. Enter the PRINCE OF MOROCCO  and his train; PORTIA, NERISSA, and others attending</i>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech1><b>MOROCCO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=1>Mislike me not for my complexion,</A><br>
<A NAME=2>The shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun,</A><br>
<A NAME=3>To whom I am a neighbour and near bred.</A><br>
<A NAME=4>Bring me the fairest creature northward born,</A><br>
<A NAME=5>Where Phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles,</A><br>
<A NAME=6>And let us make incision for your love,</A><br>
<A NAME=7>To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine.</A><br>
<A NAME=8>I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine</A><br>
<A NAME=9>Hath fear'd the valiant: by my love I swear</A><br>
<A NAME=10>The best-regarded virgins of our clime</A><br>
<A NAME=11>Have loved it too: I would not change this hue,</A><br>
<A NAME=12>Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech2><b>PORTIA</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=13>In terms of choice I am not solely led</A><br>
<A NAME=14>By nice direction of a maiden's eyes;</A><br>
<A NAME=15>Besides, the lottery of my destiny</A><br>
<A NAME=16>Bars me the right of voluntary choosing:</A><br>
<A NAME=17>But if my father had not scanted me</A><br>
<A NAME=18>And hedged me by his wit, to yield myself</A><br>
<A NAME=19>His wife who wins me by that means I told you,</A><br>
<A NAME=20>Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair</A><br>
<A NAME=21>As any comer I have look'd on yet</A><br>
<A NAME=22>For my affection.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech3><b>MOROCCO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=23>                  Even for that I thank you:</A><br>
<A NAME=24>Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets</A><br>
<A NAME=25>To try my fortune. By this scimitar</A><br>
<A NAME=26>That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince</A><br>
<A NAME=27>That won three fields of Sultan Solyman,</A><br>
<A NAME=28>I would outstare the sternest eyes that look,</A><br>
<A NAME=29>Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth,</A><br>
<A NAME=30>Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear,</A><br>
<A NAME=31>Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey,</A><br>
<A NAME=32>To win thee, lady. But, alas the while!</A><br>
<A NAME=33>If Hercules and Lichas play at dice</A><br>
<A NAME=34>Which is the better man, the greater throw</A><br>
<A NAME=35>May turn by fortune from the weaker hand:</A><br>
<A NAME=36>So is Alcides beaten by his page;</A><br>
<A NAME=37>And so may I, blind fortune leading me,</A><br>
<A NAME=38>Miss that which one unworthier may attain,</A><br>
<A NAME=39>And die with grieving.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech4><b>PORTIA</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=40>You must take your chance,</A><br>
<A NAME=41>And either not attempt to choose at all</A><br>
<A NAME=42>Or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong</A><br>
<A NAME=43>Never to speak to lady afterward</A><br>
<A NAME=44>In way of marriage: therefore be advised.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech5><b>MOROCCO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=45>Nor will not. Come, bring me unto my chance.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech6><b>PORTIA</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=46>First, forward to the temple: after dinner</A><br>
<A NAME=47>Your hazard shall be made.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech7><b>MOROCCO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=48>Good fortune then!</A><br>
<A NAME=49>To make me blest or cursed'st among men.</A><br>
<p><i>Cornets, and exeunt</i></p>
</blockquote>
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##scene i. belmont. a room in portia's house.##

*flourish of cornets. enter the prince of morocco  and his train; portia, nerissa, and others attending*
##scene i. belmont. a room in portia's house.##

*flourish of cornets. enter the prince of morocco  and his train; portia, nerissa, and others attending*
##scene i. belmont. a room in portia's house.##

*flourish of cornets. enter the prince of morocco  and his train; portia, nerissa, and others attending*
##scene i. belmont. a room in portia's house.##

*flourish of cornets. enter the prince of morocco  and his train; portia, nerissa, and others attending*
